STATE COLLEGE, CENTRE COUNTY - The Atherton Street Corridor Project to make downtown State College more pedestrian-friendly has a big price tag, but some folks say any amount of money is worth it to keep people crossing the busy streets safe.
South Atherton Street sees a lot of traffic on the road, and on the sidewalks.
"I've seen several close calls involving buses, students, bikes," Michael Barringer said. "I think it'd be a good thing."
Barringer has walked the crosswalk at the bus terminal on South Atherton Street for five years.
"This being Atherton Street with traffic all day long, you have situations, close situations all throughout the day," he said.
Close calls that Borough officials are hoping to change.
"Safety is the number one concern, but we're also looking to improve the aesthetics in the area," Environmental Coordinator Alan Sam said.
The Corridor Project, originally proposed last winter, will add new fencing, crosswalks, traffic signals, street lighting and landscaping along South Atherton Street from Highland Alley to the bus station. With its price tag at nearly $1.4 million, some, including Penn State Senior Andrew Tarr, question why.
"I don't think it's worth it," Tarr said. "In the four years I've been here, I haven't noticed any real bad accidents that would warrant that."
Tarr says for a price that high, the crosswalks that already exist work just fine, as long as both drivers and pedestrians are careful.
"I think people just need to start taking their own responsibility more, rather than having the local area pay for it," he said.
But others, like Barringer, say it's a price worth paying.
"If it saves a life, absolutely," he said.
The State College Borough Council will vote whether to approve the project to move forward with design and budget plans Monday night at their regularly scheduled meeting.
South Atherton Street sees a lot of traffic on the road, and on the sidewalks.
"I've seen several close calls involving buses, students, bikes," Michael Barringer said. "I think it'd be a good thing."
Barringer has walked the crosswalk at the bus terminal on South Atherton Street for five years.
"This being Atherton Street with traffic all day long, you have situations, close situations all throughout the day," he said.
Close calls that Borough officials are hoping to change.
"Safety is the number one concern, but we're also looking to improve the aesthetics in the area," Environmental Coordinator Alan Sam said.
The Corridor Project, originally proposed last winter, will add new fencing, crosswalks, traffic signals, street lighting and landscaping along South Atherton Street from Highland Alley to the bus station. With its price tag at nearly $1.4 million, some, including Penn State Senior Andrew Tarr, question why.
"I don't think it's worth it," Tarr said. "In the four years I've been here, I haven't noticed any real bad accidents that would warrant that."
Tarr says for a price that high, the crosswalks that already exist work just fine, as long as both drivers and pedestrians are careful.
"I think people just need to start taking their own responsibility more, rather than having the local area pay for it," he said.
But others, like Barringer, say it's a price worth paying.
"If it saves a life, absolutely," he said.
The State College Borough Council will vote whether to approve the project to move forward with design and budget plans Monday night at their regularly scheduled meeting.
